The Top Ten People of 2008 and The Cars They Drive

December 31, 2008 by Brad - Your Car Guy

Well, another year has come and gone and now is the time to look back on the stretch of time we call 2008 and recall all those moments that made it the periodically fine year it was. 2008 was a year of many things. There were elections and triumphs and losses and trainwrecks, but most of all there was people. Not just any people mind you, but some of the most awe inspiring, for vastly different (and sometimes cringworthy) reasons, people that one could imagine.

Yes, like most years 2008 was a year of many memorable moments. And behind every memorable moment is a memorable person. And behind, or underneath, or enveloping, every one of those memorable people, is a car. Some of those cars might be memorable, some might just be cars, but regardless here are Brad Your Car Guy’s picks for the 10 Most Memorable People of 2008 and the Cars They Drive.

10. Amy Winehouse drives to the neighborhood Pub in a British Motor Works Series Seven

2008 was the year Amy Winehouse took home 5 Grammys, played musical rehabs, and drove around, or hopefully had someone drive her around, in her BMW 7 Series. As BMW’s flagship car the 7 Series is the full sized luxury sedan that puts the luxury sedan in luxury sedan. (Wow, pure poetry, I should be writing their ad campains.)

9. Danica Patrick drives to the grocery store in a Lamborghini Gallardo

In Indy racing, 2008 will be remembered as the year that a women first one an Indy race. That women was Danica Patrick who won the Indy Japan 300 and who, when she isn’t doing over 200 mph on the track, just might be doing almost 200 mph on the highway in her Lamborghini Gallardo. Just stay out of her way if you know what’s good for you. Aside from the fact she’s faster than you are, that’s one little lady you don’t want to mess with. (Ask Milka Duno)

8. Jennifer Aniston drives to Starbucks in her Toyota Prius Hybrid

She should always be in every top ten list for everything. Well, that’s just my opinion but, I mean, come on. Anyway, she spent 2008 in another doomed relationship as well as finding some time to make movies and, in more serious matters, lend her spotlight to help with raising funds and awareness for St. Judes Children’s Hsopital. But this Hollywood lady doesn’t stop there she also helps to preserve the environment by going green in her Toyota Prius Hybrid. I knew I liked her for some reason.

7. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie drive or “Tool around Green” in a BMW Hydrogen 7

I hope it isn’t bad to put them this close to Jeniffer but they certainly made an impact on 2008, global population wise at least. This is a two for one as the whole Bradgelina clan was the real new-makers of the year with new twins to join the family as well as some serious impact on the year in film. Good luck at the Oscars Brad and Angelina. We’ll be looking for you to pull up in the second BMW 7 on our list (only this time its the eco-friendly, and exceedingly rare, Hydrogen model).

Usain Bolt drives a Ferrari F430 Spider ; An inspired roadster befitting an inspired track star.

It’s a bird, its a plane, its a guy who can run faster than any other guy ever, even while mugging for the cameras. Its Usain Bolt. Usain Bolt shocked the world in 2008 by taking the olympic sprinting events by storm (electrical storm that is). A fast man needs a fast car and Mr. Bolt is a fast man indeed. See if you can catch him when he’s sitting behind the wheel of his Ferrari F430 Spider. When you run faster than most cars, what else would you drive.

5. Lauren Conrad drives full throttle (just kidding!) to the set of “The Hills” in the sleek 2009 Audi 8

OMG. Did you see what Heidi said about Lauren? Well, if you didn’t and you’re under 30 then your TV must be broken. 2008 was also the year that Lauren Conrad became America’s sweetheart and one of the most influential women in the country. Her choices start trends that rip across the country the instant they air on MTV’s The Hills. For transportation Lauren chooses a 2009 Audi 8, though with a price tag right at 100 grand don’t expect this trend to take middle America by storm.

4. Michael Phelps drives to the bank and then to practice and back to the bank in his Cadillac Escalde

Part man, part dolphin, and now part gold Michael Phelps name will put the 2008 Olympic games in the history books. His amazing feat of racking up 8 gold medals is almost unbelievable in an age where these events are decided by hundreths if not thousandths of a second. Phelps truly has the midas touch. And what else would a man with a midas touch drive but a Cadillac Escalade. USA, USA, USA.

3. Sarah Palin drives a Chevrolet Suburban to haul around her king size family.

Speaking of USA this thing is winding down and being as this was an election year, well, I thought we’d include a moose hunter. I mean a VP candidate. Sarah Palin’s folksie wink and smile found a place in the hearts of many American voters and helped to propel her to the number three slot in my unofficial, partially random, top ten list. Aside from helicopters, this 2012 hopeful employs a Cheverolet Suburban to get her from place to place. There is plenty of room for a large family or several animal carcasss in the back of this hauler.

2. Hillary Clinton drives a Mercury Mariner Hybrid looking for Bill when he is late.

Before Sarah Palin there was only one woman with her eye on the 2008 presidency. Hillary Clinton was not only the 2008 runner up for democratic presidential nominee, she is also the election season’s Miss Congeniality after finding room in her heart to support that guy she thought wasn’t ready to be president (once she found out she wasn’t going to be president). Ms. First Lady Senator Secetary Clinton gets her green on in a Mercury Mariner Hybrid. You go, Ma’am.

1. Barack Obama drives a Ford Escape Hybrid; Barack gave up his 300 Hemi to hit the campaign trail.

Well who didn’t know that? If you see any list that has anything remotely to do with people and 2008 I can save you the trouble of reading them by telling you number one will be Barack Obama. (And they better include Jennifer Aniston somewhere). I’m not saying he isn’t deserving. Anyone who can run for president against a campaign with the smooth precise dagger-like tactics employed by the McCain/Palin people and still come out on top is certainly… Sorry about that. I think I might have had a mini stroke. Anyway, President Obama is another of the greenies (imagine that, politicians driving green cars instead of gas guzzlers, like say a Chrysler 300c) getting his commuting done in a Ford Escape Hybrid. Well, not anymore. Now it’s all limos and armored convoys and private jumbo jets, but hey, someone has to be president.